Federal scientific institute under the authority of the Federal Public Service of Health, Food Chain Safety and Environment. The VAR's research activities focus on veterinary science and agricultural chemistry. It provides scientific and technical support in areas such as the fight against contagious animal diseases, the protection of human health, the preservation of the quality of agricultural ecosystems, and the certification of the quality of animal and vegetal production regarding to zoonoses and residues.

The VMM, a Flemish public institution, performs research and takes measures in order to adjust and prepare the environmental policy. They report on the quality of the environment in general and air and water in particular. The VMM is in charge of the quality of surface water.